FIVE art groups are celebrating after gaining a total of more than £100,000 in grants from the Arts Council.

The Chol Theatre, Blink creative arts agency, string musicians Goldberg Ensemble, Kirklees Leisure and Recreation Services and West Yorkshire Print Workshop all received grants.

The money will be used to develop art projects throughout Kirklees. They include a unique look into local life and a touring contemporary musical festival.

The Chol Theatre received £35,000 to record life at Beast Market in Huddersfield.

Andrew Loretto, of Chol Theatre, said: “It is great for a small organisation like us to get this funding.

“We work hard to fund projects and it is a vote of confidence in what we are doing to get this grant at a time when there is a squeeze on arts funding.”

The theatre group is recording the voices, faces and stories of people who live work and play in the area.

Writer and director Mr Loretto said: “The project is about the experiences of the diverse community, how they feel about it and how they feel about change.

“Huddersfield is one of the most diverse towns in the country, there is a wealth of stories from both young and old.”

The Beast Market project will run at the Lawrence Batley Theatre from March 12 to 14, 2008 as part of the Huddersfield Literature Festival 2008.

Creative arts agency Blink will get £16,020 to develop its experimental Mobile Folk Stories, enabling people to take part in a literature project via their mobile phone.

Eleven solo string players at Goldberg Ensemble will use the £15,000 grant they received to take part in a touring contemporary music festival. The show will take place at St Paul’s Hall, Huddersfield on March 3 and 4, 2008.

Chris Robins from Goldberg Ensemble said: “We are very pleased indeed with the grant, because it means that we can take what we do out not only into Leeds but also Huddersfield and Birmingham.

“We will be able to continue the workshops we offer and take them into Huddersfield for people to enjoy.

“This money makes it all possible.”

Kirklees Leisure and Recreation Services will use the £4,888 they received to allow six officers to attend a creative conference where they will learn about the benefits of creative community projects and the benefits they can have.

The West Yorkshire Print Workshop, based in Mirfield, will use their £36,000 to provide a skill-sharing workshop among artists over three years.